What is burnout syndrome, and what causes it?
The WHO describes burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been managed successfully. It can show itself as exhaustion, mental distance from the job and reduced professional efficacy. It is not classified as a medical condition. Studies link it, for example, with high workload, low job control and little support at work. The German health portal gesund.bund.de, unlike the WHO, also names strain outside of work, for example caring for relatives.
Which questions on “Burnout syndrome: definition and causes” does exburnout.com answer?
- What is burnout?The WHO defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been managed successfully. Its three dimensions are exhaustion, mental distance from the job and reduced professional efficacy.
- Is burnout an illness?The WHO classifies burnout in the ICD-11 as an occupational phenomenon. It lists burnout outside the illnesses and health conditions.
- What is the difference between burnout and stress?Stress is the reaction to strain. In the WHO definition, burnout describes a state that can follow chronic workplace stress that has not been managed successfully.
- Is burnout real or just an excuse?The WHO has included burnout in the ICD-11 as an occupational phenomenon. Prospective studies found that burnout predicted later physical, psychological and occupational problems.
- What causes burnout?According to the WHO, burnout can arise from chronic workplace stress that has not been managed successfully. Studies link it to working conditions such as high demands, low job control, high workload, low reward or job insecurity.
- Can burnout happen outside of work?The WHO limits the term burnout to the occupational context. gesund.bund.de takes a broader view and also names non-occupational strain, for example caring for relatives.
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